Hong Kong Apartment Complex Fire Results in Fatalities and Mass Evacuations

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Deadly Fire in Hong Kong Apartment Complex

A significant fire on Wednesday engulfed portions of the eight-block Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in numerous fatalities and a large-scale evacuation.

Casualties and Impact

As of current reports, at least 36 individuals have died in the blaze. Authorities anticipate this number will increase, with hundreds of residents still unaccounted for. The cause of the fire is presently under investigation.

More than a thousand people were compelled to evacuate the estate as the fire spread, with additional evacuations from adjacent buildings by police. Temporary accommodation centers have been established to house displaced residents.

Fire Containment Efforts

Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with officials stating that the fire is gradually being contained. A timeline for its full extinguishment has not yet been provided. Flames were observed emanating from multiple individual apartments during the incident.

Resident and Official Statements

  • Scene Observations: Thomas Liu, a student present at the scene, reported experiencing significant heat and heavy smoke, and observed a body being removed.
  • Missing Persons Reports: Mui Siu-fung, a Tai Po district councillor, confirmed receiving numerous communications from individuals seeking relatives or reporting them missing within the complex.
  • Resident Accounts:
    • Harry Cheung, a resident of Block Two for over four decades, stated hearing a loud noise and witnessing fire erupt in an adjacent block. He reported immediately collecting personal items and expressed concern regarding overnight accommodation due to displacement.
    • Ms. Kam, a resident of the adjacent Kwong Fuk Estate, indicated that some friends residing in Wang Fuk Court had been located, while others remained unaccounted for. She noted that one friend, accustomed to afternoon naps, may have been asleep when the fire commenced at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT), and her daughters had been unable to establish contact.
    • Jason Kong, aged 65, relayed that a neighbor had contacted him to report being trapped within one of the tower blocks. Mr. Kong observed the ongoing burning of apartments and conveyed a need for government assistance for the affected community.
    • An elderly woman, a resident of an affected block, stated she was not home when the fire started and expressed concern over her uninsured apartment and immediate displacement.